Advice needed avic enclosure change

[DreadedNeith]

Ok so right now i Have my avic metallica in a 10 gallon tank that i converted into a vertical enclosure. Ive only had her for about a month and 1/2 to 2 months and she just finally settled down enough to begin eating and webbing.
I AM worred though because her enclosure only has vent holes in the front. The entire front is clear hard plastic covered in holes but i am worried because it doesnt have cross vents. I have another tank (10 gallin glass) that i want to try and drill cross vents into with diamond drill bits but i am worried about transfering her again and stressing her out. I have a fan running in her room at all times and i open her enclosure every other day for a minute or 2.
I also have a large critter keeper that i was thinking of keeping vertical and putting cross cents into that. I could also try to drill the holes while she is in the tank by covering the glass with a wet rag to catch dust but i am worried that may stress her also. I am also worried if the tank cracks while i am drilling the holes i will have to transfer her. I guess my question is, should i transfer her to a new enclosure or is she fine right where she is? If i did transfer her would it be too much stress on her? If I should wait to transfer her, how long should I wait?

 

[Mr. P]

Glass aquariums are tempered glass, you can't drill them. You can drill an acrylic tank but a tempered glass tank is pressurized and the glass will pop if you try to drill it.

 

[DreadedNeith]

Alright. So should i convert my large critter keeper into a vertical enclosure and transfer her there or should i wait because she is just now adjusting to the enclosure she is in? My avinc is about 4 or 4 1/2 inches. I havent got an exact size because she hasnt molted in my care yet.
also i did successfully drill a peice of auarium glass using the diamond bits for a dremel rotary tool. It didnt crack.

 

[Mr. P]

I keep my Avics in a Exo Terra Nano Tall enclosure which is the perfect size for an Avic. As far as drilling a glass aquarium, the aquarium you drilled must have been made with cheaper float glass found in smaller cheaper aquariums as you can't drill tempered.

 

[DreadedNeith]

I keep my Avics in a Exo Terra Nano Tall enclosure which is the perfect size for an Avic. As far as drilling a glass aquarium, the aquarium you drilled must have been made with cheaper float glass found in smaller cheaper aquariums as you can't drill tempered.

Yeah i did some research and found that some aquariums (usually 10 gallon and smaller) arent made with tempered glass. Some have tempered bottoms though. I also figured out a way to test if the aquarium is tempered. Put the glass in front of a computer screen and hold polorized sun glasses in front of the tank so you are looking at the computer screen behind tank through the galsses. Then rotate the sunglasses untill you can no longer see the computer screen. If it just dims the computer screen but doesnt black it out completely then it is made of tempered glass.
I still dont know if i should transfer my avic again because she just got used to her enclosure. I can avoid the glass drilling and just use my large critter keeper in the vertical position but again im not sure if its worth moving her. I dont want to stress her to much. She finally just started eating and webbing.

 

[MassExodus]

Don't stress yourself out and over think it. There's plenty of vent holes, and a fan circulating air. I prefer cross ventilation also, but your set up looks fine. Keep a large fresh dish of water and don't mist, your Avic should be fine.

 

[MassExodus]

One more thing, take a look at the huge cheeseball barrels from walmart, they make pretty cool enclosures for avics, they're clear and you can drill vents easily. Just an fyi.

 

[Whitelightning777]

As long as it doesn't get stuffy in the enclosure or you notice any condensation, it's ventilated enough.

If you're still worried about excess humidity, install a humidity gauge with the sensor towards the back. Compare that to readings taken in the room. Use a digital one because the analog ones are useless.

I wouldn't worry about ventilation unless the humidity is over 65%.

Gauges can be used to prevent excess humidity, not to create it.

Avics are dry spiders and will do just fine at the humidity in your home. My hunch with the large number of vent holes is that you have plenty of ventilation.

My C versicolor does great in an ExoTerra nano enclosure. They are great cages and it's not really possible for the home builder to replicate them.

 

[DreadedNeith]

As long as it doesn't get stuffy in the enclosure or you notice any condensation, it's ventilated enough.

If you're still worried about excess humidity, install a humidity gauge with the sensor towards the back. Compare that to readings taken in the room. Use a digital one because the analog ones are useless.

I wouldn't worry about ventilation unless the humidity is over 65%.

Gauges can be used to prevent excess humidity, not to create it.

Avics are dry spiders and will do just fine at the humidity in your home. My hunch with the large number of vent holes is that you have plenty of ventilation.

My C versicolor does great in an ExoTerra nano enclosure. They are great cages and it's not really possible for the home builder to replicate them.

Thanks for the reply. I live in upstate NY so it tends to be pretty humid here except for in the winter. I make sure i always have a fan in the room. Its hever directly facing the enclosure and i open the enclosure for a minute or 2 each day just to be safe. I am thinking about buying a humidity gauge.

 

[Whitelightning777]

Gently blowing air across the ventilation holes can remove excess humidity if it's detected.

Here's a slight rant I did on the subject.

A bit over the top but I think you get the point. When in doubt, be informed.

 

[DreadedNeith]

Thanks. that is exactly what i do.